The satellite industry is taking a positive step forward in supporting the maritime community through the creation of the GVF Maritime Satcom Forum. This new working group, being spearheaded by the GVF, includes the top manufacturers, network operators and service providers in the industry.
Over the past five years demand for data services and the transfer of digital information on board vessels has dramatically increased and as a result the use of satellite technology has rapidly expanded. We have seen a number of GVF members begin to support this growing market and offer solutions to increase the communications capabilities on board vessels. Predictions for continued growth are significant and a number of factors are helping to drive this expansion:
· Ship owners/Operators are treating vessels as an extension of the office
· Increased demand for on-board business applications
· Decrease in hardware/service costs
· Increase in satellite coverage over ocean routes
· Smaller antennas
· Standardization of products
· Increased focus on services and solutions, not just hardware
Despite the increase in demand for new networks and services satellite technology faces a major challenge in communicating its value proposition to the end customers (Ship owners/Operators/Leasing Companies). The increased demand for satcom solutions has resulted in a multitude of network operators and service providers launching varying levels of services into the market place. This has impacted the value proposition of satellite technology as increased levels of competition have resulted in large amounts of misinformation reaching the end customer.
“As the satellite communications industry and the maritime industry become more dependent on each other it is essential that we work together,” states David Hartshorn, Secretary General at GVF. “We need to eliminate the confusion and help the maritime industry successfully adopt satellite technology to solve their business challenges.” “It is our hope that the new GVF Maritime Satcom Forum will be the first step.”
The objectives of the GVF Maritime Satcom Forum are as follows:
· To create a unified organization that presents a single voice for promoting satellite technology in the maritime industry.
· To expand the deployment of satellite technology through training and education at the end customer level.
· To create a forum where satellite equipment manufacturers, service providers and satellite operators can discuss the current market status, industry trends and future developments of the maritime communications industry.
The GVF's Maritime Satcom Forum is the first in a series of groups that will target key vertical markets. The strategy will be to heighten awareness of satellite solutions in the maritime sector, strengthen advocacy efforts, expand delivery of training, facilitate new projects, and more. A primary focus of the Forum will be to promote the use of satellite technology to the shipping industry. This will be accomplished through a number of different activities including Public Relations, Conferences & other Trade Events, liaison with Maritime Industry Associations, Advocacy, and Training.
GVF is an experienced, non-profit association that is recognised as being perfectly suited to create a more focused program to promote satellite technology deeper into the maritime vertical. Over the past few years they have hosted a series of conferences in various regions focused on key elements of maritime satellite communications. The Maritime Satcom Forum will utilize the structure and support of the GVF, combined with the experience and knowledge of industry experts to promote, educate and train the maritime industry on the value of satellite communication. GVF is pleased to invite wide industry participation in this newly-formed group.
An initial meeting of the GVF Maritime Satcom Forum will take place on 17th September at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London, following the conclusion of the Comsys ‘VSAT 2010’ conference. GVF Members interested in supporting this initiative or taking a leadership role as part of the advisory board are invited to contact the GVF Secretary General at david.hartshorn@gvf.org ---------------------------------
Martin Jarrold is Chief of International Programs of the GVF. He can be reached at martin.jarrold@gvf.org
